Windshield cleaner



` Feb, 1 41927'.

F. Gf l-oLBE'RTHA E1' AL WINDSHIELD CLEANER Eild March 2b, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 1,1927. 1,616,037

A F. G. FOLBERTH ET A| WINDSHTEL-D CLJEANER 61H02 un Patented Feb. l', 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH AND WILLIAM M. FOLBERTH. OF` CLEVELAND, OHIO, AS- SIGNORS TO TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A COR- PORATION F NEW YORK.

WINDSHIELD CLEANER.

Application led March 20, 1924.. l'Seri-a1"110.700,659..

This invention relates to windshield cleaners, and more particularly to suction operated cleaners adapted to be operated by the suction of the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine.

An object of the invention is: to provide a cylinder construction coinln'isii-ig two halves or sections of a cylinder and? ciamping means for secuiing the two sections to each other` More specifical'iy, we provide a cylinder formed in two sections7 each section of' which is provided with al cylinder head at its outer end and is provided with a. flared edge at its inner end and a gif-oovcd clamping member adapted to surround the contacting Hai-ed inner ends of thc cylinder sections to secure them to each other.`

A further object of the invention is to provide improved valve shifting mechanism for a motor of this character.

A still further object is the provision of valve shifting mechanism consisting of a pivoted member adapted to be swungon its pivot by a moving part of a motor, a spring connected to said pivoted member and adapted to be maintained under tension, and

a valve supporting member adapted to be engaged by said pivoted member to alitomatieally shift the valves of the cleaner motor.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown one. embodiment of this invention. In this showing:

Figure lis a perspective view of awindshield cleaner constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse .sectional view through the cleaner when '1n .position ou a windshield,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the cylinder.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View substantially on line 4.-4 of Figure 2 showing the valve shifting member,

Figure 5 is a similar view substantially on line 5 5 of Figure, 2, showing the manner in which the valve shifting member is engaged by a movable part of a motor,

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view through a portion of the cylinder and clo sure member showingl the passages in the riosure member3 Figure 9 is a similar view of the clamp. y Referring to the drawings7 the reference numeral 1 designates a windshield framel ofthe usual construction having a pane of glass 2 or other transparent material arranged therein. The cleaner motor. shown as a cylindrical casing, is designated generally by the reference numeral 3, and is adapted to be arranged ou the interior oiE the windshield frame, as shown. The motor is provided with a transverse power shaft 4 adapted to be oscillated and the outer end of this shaft is adapted to receive a cleaner arm 5. The shaft is provided with a transverse passage for the reception of the end of the cleaner arm and is further provided with a longitudinal threaded bore adapted to receive a set screw 6. which engages the cleaner arm to retain it in position. A nut lock 7 is arranged on the set screw. The shaft may be provided with weakened portions 8 to permit it to be broken off for the purpose of adjustment, and one of the transverse passages is arranged inwardly of each of these weakened portions, as shown in dotted lines in 'Figure 2 of the drawings. This, however. forms no part of the presentinvention, it being disclosed and claimed in our prior Patent No'. 1472,644, granted October 30, 1923. The lower end of the cleaner arm is provided with a suitable retaining device or holder 9 and a cleaner element is arranged in this holder. The cleaner element consists of a backing strip 10 of metal or other suitable material and a rubber strip 11 adapted to engage the surfacer l diate the ends of the cylinder, the plate be- .ing curved in cross sectionto conform to the cylinder wall, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. This plate extends over a portion of the exterior of each section of the cylinder wall and is provided with an inwardly exten/ding projection 20 adapted to be received in the recesses 15. The upper portion of the plate is provided with a lug or projection 21 adapted to be received in an opening 22 formed in a substantially semi -circular clamping member 23. The detail construction of the clamping member is shown in Figure 9 ofthe drawings. As

shown, it is adapted to extend around thev cylinder at the point where the two sections are connected to each other and from the top of the closure plate to the bottom. This clamping member is provided with a substantially V-shaped groove 24 adapted to receive the flared ends 14 of the cylinder sections and thus clamp them to each other. The groove 24 is interrupted by an opening 24 'which passes over the two component parts 16 of the sleeve bearing for the shaft 4.

The two cup-shaped cylinders or casing sections 12 are thereby given additional securement by this embracing relation of the clamping band 23 to the sleeve' bearing parts 1G, the latter projecting through the opening 24. In actual practice, the joints between the cylinders 12, the closure plate or central motor attaching member 19, and the clamping band 23, leak to such an extent as to permit ample passage of atn'losphcric air iuto the space between the pistons hereinafter described. This also is an advantage in facilitating and cxpediting the manufacture of the mot-or because it is not a prerequisite to have an air tight joint between said cylinders and clamping band, the band serving primarily to secure the cylinders and the closure plate rigidly together. The inclined walls ot groove 24 cam on thc securing parts 14 and act to draw them together as well as draw the cylinder members and tubes 40 into the central supporting member 19. The lower end ot the clamping element is provided with ears 25 having openings 26 for the reception of screws or other fastening elements which are received in threaded openings in the closure plate.

YVithin the cylinder, we provide a pair of spaced pistons, each of which, comprises a plurality of disks 27 of metal or other suitable material having a packing strip 28 arranged between them. This packing strip is of larger diameter than the diameter of the cylinder, `forming a flange 29. The parts of the piston are secured to each other by a bolt 30, passing through openings in the metal plates. The two pistons are con. nected t-o each other by means of a connecting member 31 having offset ends. 32. These offset ends are provided with openings for the reception of the bolts 30. Intermediate the offset ends, the connecting member is provided with spaced openings 33 forming a rack. A segmental gear 34 is mounted on the power shaft and this gear is'provided with teeth 35 adapted to mesh with the rack. The upper portion of the gear is provided with an arcuate surface 36curved on a radius from the center of the shaft, and at cach end of the arcuate portion, there is provided a shoulder 37.

The closure plate is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending passages 38, communicating with transverse passages 39 extending through the thickened portion 2O to the interior of the cylinder. ends of the passages 38 are connected to conduits 40 Which extend longitudinally of the cylinder and communicate with the opposite ends thereof through openings 41 (see Figure 4) The closure plate is further provided with a passage 42, having a tube 43 arranged in its outer end. This tube is adapted to receive a suitable conduit (not shown) which is adapted to be connected to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine (not shown) or other suction producing means. Intermediate the ends of the closure plate, the passage 42 communicates with an angularly disposed passage 44. As shown, thepassage 44 is reduced in size adjacent its upper end and is provided with a valve seat 45. The lower portion of the passage is threaded and is adapted to receive. a threaded valve stem 46, having a valve 47 formed-on its upper end.` The valve stem projects from the closure plate and is provided with a knob or handle 48. The'upper end of the inclined passage 44 communicates with a transverse passage 45 arranged between the passages 39 (see Figure 6).

The suction passage 45 is adapted to he connected to either of the passages 39 aud suitable automatic valve mechanism is provided to alternately connect the passages 39 to the suction passage 45 to reciprocate the pistons in the cylinder. As shown, a pin 49 is arranged on the inner face of the closure plate for supporting a valve shift-ing member. The valve shifting member comprises a main portion 50, pivotally mounted on-the pin 49 adjacent its lower end and The outer curving-upwardly. The upper end of this member 1s provided with an angular eX- tension 5l adapted to be arranged over the arcuate portion 36 of the segmental gear.

Adjacent the bottom, the valve shifting member is provided with a loop 5 2 and an arm extends upwardly from this loop. The arm is pivotally `mounted on the pin 49 whereby the valve `shitting member is supported at two points. The upper portion of 'the arm 53 is provided with an arcuate face closure member adjacent the top of the cylinder to pivotally support this member. The valve supporting member is further` provided with a central cut-out portion 6l, adapt-ed to loosely surround a sleeve 62 extending inwardly from the closure member and receiving the shaft 4. The valve supporting member 'is provided with a project-- ing finger 63 which is arranged above the arcuate face 54 of the valve shifting member and is .adapted to engage the shoulders 55.

A valve 64 is mounted on the opposite side` of the valve supporting member, the valve being cup or dish shaped and being adapted to extend over the suction passage and one of the connecting passages 39 to estab-e `lish communication between the source of suction and one end of the cylinder.` as shown' in Figure 6 of the drawings.` 'l'lns yvalve is provided with a stem 65 passing through an opening 66 in the valve supporting member. The lower end of the valve supporting member is provided with spaced projections 67 which are arranged onopposite sides of the pin 49 to limit the movement of the valve supporting member to properly position the valve each time it is moved.

In operation, the manually controlled valve 47 is opened when operation ot the cleaner is desired, by turning the knob 48 and the cleaner motor is then placed in communication with the source of suction'or pressure. In Figure 4 of the drawings, the valve shifting member is shown moved to the right and the valve is then in a position to connect the right end of' the cylinder to the source ofisuction. The pistons then move toward this end of the cylinder, oscillatingA the gear `and shaft in a counterclockvvise direction.v TAS the gear moves, the shoulder 37 at the right of the cylinder moves toward the angular extension 510i the valve shift` ing member. As the pistonsapproach their limit of movement, the shoulder engages the angular extension to move the valve shiftmg member in a counterclockwise direction. The initial movement of the valve shifting member is by contact Withthe shoulder 37 and is at the same speed `as the speed kof the gear. During this movement, the left shoulder 55 of the arm 53 moves away from the finger 63 of the valvesupporting member and the right shoulder approaches it. The spring 56, connected to the loop 52 is initially under tension tending to draw the lower end of the valve shifting member in a counterclockwise direction and the valve,

-and the valve. The valve is thus positively shifted with asnap or quick action and the possibility of the valve ostopping on dead center is eliminated. The movement of the valve supporting member is. limited by an engagement of the shoulders 67 and the pin A line connecting thel ends eoV 49. The opposite, end of the cylinder vis then connected tothe source of suction and the pistons move in the opposite direction to turn the shaft and the lsegmental gear in a clockwise direction. The operation of shifting the valves when moving in this direction, is substantiallythe same as that heretofore described and repetition is-deemed unnecessary.

While we have shown and described the valve actuating mechanism, the. vpresent applic'ation is limited to the cylinder construction and the valve actuating mechanism forms the subject matterr'ofa divisional application filed January 24, 1925, Serial No.

It is to `be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken -as a preferred example ol the same,7and that various changes in 'thev shape, size, vand arrangement of' parts'may be resorted to wit-hout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe subv joined claims. y

shield cleaners, a central member having three fiuid. passages opening through one t'a'ce thereof, onel of the `fluid passages being adapted for connection to a source `of suction and the other fluid passages opening through the opposite ends of said central member, a pairof cylinder members having their outer ends closed and their inner ends abutting each other, tubes connected at their outer ends to the outer ends of said cylinder -members and having their inner ends de. tachably connected to the respective end -opening communication between the outer end of its cylinder member and the space between said piston elements, valve actuating mechanism for shifting said valve operable from a moving part ofthe motor, and clamp means rigidly connecting the cylinder members to sai central member in an air-leak joint whereby atmospheric pressure may enter through the space between said piston elements into the communicating outer end of said cylinder members for alternately .acting upon said piston elements, said clamp means acting to secure the inner ends of said tubes to sald central member.

2. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a pair of cup-shaped cylinder members, a tube for each member secured to the closed endthereof and arranged exteriorly thereofi extending toward its open end in spaced relation, a. central member for mounting the motor, said central member having end passages to receive the un`- supported ends of the tubes and support the same, said cylinder members having their open ends arranged in opposition to each other and supported on said central member for forming a easing, a piston arranged within the casing, valve mechanism for operatively admitting fluid pressure through the passages of said central member to operate the motor, and clamping means interlocked with the open ends of said cylinder members for securing the latter to each other and to Said central member.

3. I n a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a pair of stamped sheet metal, cup-shaped cylinder members arranged with their open endsl abutting to form a casing. the marginal portions of the abutting ends being cut out to form ar opening, a closure plate for thc casing opening thus formed, said plate consisting of a casting having an inward enlargement projecting through said casing opening and embraced by the surrounding edges thereof, a shaft journalled in said plate and extending through the inward enlargement thereof into the casing, afpiston operable in the casing for actuatmg said shaft, and a clamp embracing the cylinder members about their abutting endsand-acting to vdraw them, closer t0- gether, said clamp being detachably secured to said closure plate. i

4. In a fluid pressure motor for'windshieldcleaners, a pair of cup-shaped cylinder members having their o en ends arranged toward each other to orm a casing, the marginal portions about'the open ends being flared in art cut out in part, a central supportlng member having a :pa-rt receivable in and embraced by the cut-out marglnal portions, a piston'operable inthe caslng, an element mounted on said supporting member and operable byv said piston, a clamping band passed about said cylinder members and having a groove to receive the flared marginal portions to secure said cyllnder members together and in tight embrace with said supporting member, and Vmeans for securing the ends of said clamping band to said supporting'member.-

, 5. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a casing formed ofa pair of axially alined cylinder members having flared abutting ends, said flared ends having comple-v mental cut-outs and laterally directed sleeve bearing parts a central member supporting said cylinder membersand having a part extending through the cut-outs into the casing, a piston operable in the casing, a wiper actuating shaft journalled in said art of the central member and extending t rough 'said casing and said sleeve bearing parts, means for operating the shaft from said piston, a clamping member embracing the ared abutting ends of said cylinder members andhaving an opening receiving said sleeve bearing parts, means for connecting the clamping member to said central mem- .Y ber, and means for operatively admitting Huid pressure to the casing.

6. In a fiuid pressure motor for Windshield cleaners, a casing formed of alined cylinder members having abutting ends, each abut- \ting end having a semi-cylindrical part extending laterally and forming with the corresponding part of the companion cylinderv member a bearing sleeve, a central member supporting the cylinder members, a piston operable in the casing, a shaft journalled in said central memberv and in said bearing sleeve and operable from said piston, means for operatively admitting fluid pressure to the casing, and a clamping member passing about the abutting ends of said cylinder members and rsecuring the same to said central member, said clamping member embracing said bearing sleeve to hold its parts together.

7. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a casing comprising a pair of alined cylinder members abutting end to end,'the

abutting end portions having securing parts,

a central member supporting said cylinder members and having fluid passages, a tube for each cylinder member having one end secured to the outer end of its cylinder member and extending alongside thereof toward the abut-ting ends of said cylinder members, the inner ends' of said tubes being in communication with a respective fluid passage in and supported by said central member, said connections between the tubes and the .cent-ral member being maintained by securing said cylinder members against separation, a piston operable in said casing, a shaft journalled in said central member and operable by the piston,l means for securing the cylinder members against separation and to said central member, saidsecuring means havingcamming parts engaging the securing parts of said cylinder members and acting to draw the latter toward each other and to maintain the connection-s between said tubes and said central member, and means central -member and passing about the abutf.

ting ends of said cylinder members, said band having parts engaging said securing parts of the cylinder members in cammingy relation to draw said cylinder members toward each other, and means for securing the opposite end of said band to said central member and tightening the band about said cylinder members.

9. In a Huid pressure motor for Windshield cleaners, a casing formed of a pair of cylinder members having abutting ends provided with co-mplemental cut-outs, said Acut-outs forming a central opening in the casing, a central member supporting the cylinder members and having a part projecting into the casing through the casing opening, said part having a suction passage and a pair of lluid passages opening through the inner face thereof into the casing, connections between the fluid passages. and the opposite ends of the casing, one fluid passage for each end of said casing, a piston operablel in the casing, a wiper actuating shaft jourl nalled in said central member and extending through said part into the' casing, means operable by said piston for actuating said shaft, means securing said cylinder members to said central member, and valve mechanism operable over the inner face of said part by and during movement of said piston for alternately connecting said fluid passages to said suction passage and open the unconnected fluid passage to atmospheric pressure. v

In testimony whereof, we alix our signatures.

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTII. WILLIAM M. FOLBERTH.

lill 

